STILLWATER — Phil Forte absorbed every word from the Cowboys coach and suddenly felt an adrenaline rush.
“He had me wanting to go play a game right then and there,” Forte said.
The motivational powers of Brad Underwood?
Actually, John Smith.
When Underwood sought a different voice to freshen up the postseason message for his Cowboys, he only needed to stride across Gallagher-Iba Arena and into the wrestling room to call on one of the school's great champions and a noted major motivator.
Smith addressed the Cowboys on Sunday, before their NCAA Tournament fate was revealed.